Fluid-filled bodies for portable devices

Abstract

Generally, the present invention relates to body casings for portable devices, wherein the body casing has at least one viewable chamber for holding a material. The present invention also relates to portable devices which comprise a functional unit having a housing which is configured to include at least one viewable chamber for holding a material. Portable devices according to the invention include a functional unit having a housing surrounding at least a portion of the functional unit. The housing comprises mating inner and outer walls which define a fluid-tight chamber for holding a material. The outer wall has a transparent section to allow a viewer to perceive the contents of the chamber. Body casings for portable devices according to the invention include mating top and bottom portions which are configured to define a casing chamber for holding a portable device. At least one of the top or bottom portions includes an inner wall and an outer wall defining at least one fluid-tight chamber for holding a material.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A portable device comprising: 
 a functional unit;    a housing surrounding at least a portion of said functional unit;    said housing comprising a mating inner wall and outer wall;    said inner wall and said outer wall defining a fluid-tight chamber therebetween for accepting a material within said chamber and wherein said outer wall of said chamber has a transparent section whereby a viewer can perceive a material accepted within said chamber.    
     
     
         2 . The portable device of  claim 1  wherein said housing comprises a rigid material.  
     
     
         3 . The portable device of  claim 2  wherein said rigid material comprises plastic.  
     
     
         4 . The portable device of  claim 3  wherein said plastic is translucent.  
     
     
         5 . The portable device of  claim 1  wherein said housing completely surrounds said functional unit.  
     
     
         6 . The portable device of  claim 1  wherein said inner wall and said outer wall define a plurality of chambers, each of said chambers adapted for accepting a material therein.  
     
     
         7 . The portable device of  claim 1  wherein said housing is of an integral construction.  
     
     
         8 . The portable device of  claim 1  wherein said housing comprises a plurality of pieces attached to each other or said functional unit.  
     
     
         9 . The portable device of  claim 1  wherein said material comprises a granular solid.  
     
     
         10 . The portable device of  claim 1  wherein said material comprises a colored liquid.  
     
     
         11 . The portable device of  claim 1  wherein said material comprises a plurality of differently colored immiscible liquids.  
     
     
         12 . The portable device of  claim 1  wherein said material comprises one or more colored liquids and solid flakes.  
     
     
         13 . The portable device of  claim 1  wherein said housing includes a resealable port.  
     
     
         14 . The portable device of  claim 13  wherein said housing is configured to depict a design to a viewer.  
     
     
         15 . The portable device of  claim 6  wherein one or more of said chambers includes a resealable port.  
     
     
         16 . The portable device of  claim 15  wherein the chambers of said housing are configured to depict a design to a viewer.  
     
     
         17 . The portable device of  claim 1  wherein said functional unit comprises a camera.  
     
     
         18 . A body casing for a portable device comprising: 
 a top portion and a bottom portion;    said top portion configured to define a casing chamber;    said bottom portion being engageable to said top portion to seal said chamber;    one of said top and bottom portions comprising an inner wall and an outer wall;    said inner wall and said outer wall defining at least one fluid-tight chamber therebetween; and    said outer wall further defining at least one re-sealable port in communication with said fluid-tight chamber;    whereby a user may add or remove a material from said fluid-tight chamber.    
     
     
         19 . The body casing of  claim 18  wherein said housing comprises clear plastic and said material comprises a colored liquid.  
     
     
         20 . The method of changing the perceived texture of a device, the method comprising the steps of: 
 surrounding at least on several sides, said device with a relatively narrow chamber; and    pouring into said chamber material representing a perceived desired texture.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein said narrow chamber defines the only housing of said device.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein said perceived texture is a color.  
     
     
         23 . A method of encasing a portable device within a custom housing comprising the steps of: 
 providing a sealable housing including a liquid containing portion viewable from outside said housing.